Sustenance: Giving Yourself Space For The Things You Love - The Exec Summary
The Exec Summary
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The fourth of my life pillars, alongside WORK, REST and PLAY, I would love to hear your thoughts.
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Stefan
Sustenance: Giving Yourself Space for the Things You Love
In this weeks exploration of sustenance—the fourth of my life pillars alongside work, rest, and play—I focus on how to create space for the things that genuinely enrich our lives.
A few weeks ago, I introduced the acronym L.U.N.C.H.E.S., which comprises seven essential elements of well-being: Love, Understanding, Nutrition, Community, Home, Exercise, and Space. These elements intertwine with five key dimensions of space that I believe are vital for personal fulfilment.
In our busy lives, we often prioritise constant demands from work, family, and social commitments, losing sight of the importance of making space for ourselves. This space is essential for nurturing the things that matter most.
The Five Dimensions of Space
Love to Have: This involves creating space for possessions and experiences that truly nurture us. Adopting Marie Kondo’s “Love It” philosophy encourages us to keep only those items that spark joy. This decluttering process not only refreshes our physical environment but also clears our mental space, allowing us to focus on what is meaningful, including uplifting relationships and fulfilling activities.
Love to Be: It’s vital to carve out space for self-discovery and authenticity. By understanding our needs and desires, we grant ourselves permission to simply be. This dimension emphasises the importance of mindfulness and self-compassion, allowing us to embrace our true selves without judgement. Acknowledging our imperfections fosters emotional resilience, enabling us to nurture our well-being.
Love to Do: Engaging in activities that bring us joy and a sense of purpose is crucial. We often feel too busy for our passions, yet creating time for these pursuits helps reconnect us with what makes us feel alive. Activities that facilitate “flow”—where time seems to disappear as we immerse ourselves—reduce stress and enhance our overall happiness. Pursuing purpose-driven activities, whether through creative projects or volunteering, enriches our lives and aligns us with our values.
Love to Be With: Humans are inherently social beings, and nurturing relationships is fundamental to our well-being. It’s essential to prioritise quality time with those who bring us joy, support, and connection. Authentic relationships foster a sense of belonging and happiness. By being present—putting away distractions and actively engaging with loved ones—we cultivate deeper bonds and create a supportive community around us.
Love to Learn: Continuous growth and curiosity play an important role in personal fulfilment. Creating room for learning, whether through formal education or exploring new interests, allows us to expand our knowledge and perspectives. Adopting a growth mindset fosters resilience, encouraging us to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. Self-reflection further supports our emotional awareness, helping us adapt and thrive
Personal Reflection and Transformation
As I reflect on these dimensions, the space to be with others holds particular significance for me. After experiencing significant life changes, I've come to understand that true fulfilment stems from prioritising meaningful connections. In the rush of modern life, it's easy to overlook the importance of friendships and family ties.
Recognising that relationships are at the heart of our happiness has been transformative for me in recent years. The time that my colleague and friend Angela McClelland of the Extraordinary Collective makes for her friends and family and the glow it brings her, as well as time with my cycling buddy and best mate Jason Hayles, as well as leaning on my parents again, in recent months, has really brought home to me - the value of making this investment.
To facilitate meaningful connections, I often engage in an exercise where I ask individuals to list the five people who bring them the most joy. The reflections that emerge from this practice are illuminating; most realise how precious time with these individuals truly is. I encourage making concrete plans to nurture these relationships, reinforcing the idea that life is too short not to prioritise the people who matter most to us.
Conclusion: The Power of Space
At its core, the L.U.N.C.H.E.S. model underscores the necessity of giving ourselves space for the things we love. By intentionally carving out room for love to have, love to be, love to do, love to be with, and love to learn, we nurture our well-being across all dimensions—physical, emotional, mental, and social.
As you reflect on the space you currently occupy, consider these questions to guide your thoughts:
How much space do I currently have? Consider the physical, emotional, and mental space in your life. What areas of your life feel crowded, and where do you feel most restricted or stressed?
How much space do I truly want? Think about the kind of life you envision for yourself. What would an ideal day, week, or year look like in terms of balance and fulfilment?
How much space do I need to thrive? Reflect on what’s essential for your well-being. What changes, big or small, would allow you to create more of the space you need to flourish physically, mentally, and emotionally?
By contemplating these questions, you can better understand your current situation and identify areas for improvement. Setting aside time for self-reflection allows you to evaluate what aspects of your life require more attention or space, enabling you to make conscious decisions that align with your values and aspirations.
Remember that the process of change is gradual; it doesn't require an instant transformation. Start with small changes, whether it's decluttering a specific area, dedicating time each day to reflection, or reaching out to someone who brings you joy. These actions, no matter how minor they may seem, can lead to significant positive shifts in your overall well-being.
Allow yourself to embrace the journey of self-discovery and fulfilment. The world is richer when we invest in the elements that spark joy and resonate with our authentic selves.
For me, when you make space for you, it allows you to sustain yourself and when you recognise the importance of this, you begin to notice and recognise the need to sustain others.
Sustaining others, makes me mindful of the part we each play in creating a thriving and sustainable planet.
And as you’ll have read in my “…seven aspirations for the world” piece, the responsibility I believe each and everyone of us has; making space to sustain oneself and those around you, puts each of us in a better place to connect with that purpose and the actions required to make it so.
Find space; it’s important.
Stefan
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For now; thank you
I am…
An executive coach who specialises in helping good people lead great things.
Good people care about others, our planet and beauty. Great things are changes for the betterment of society and all that lives within an around it.
It sounds big and fun - it is.
I'm also an endurance racing cyclist and a go. getter.
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